Is "Buying American" a Redistribution of Wealth?

[Superbowltrashcan]

I was thinking the other day what with the term "redistribution" becoming a dirty word, I am wondering, does the purposeful seeking of U.S. made products for purchase at a higher price than a similar or equal quality product made abroad costing less represent to you a redistribution of wealth? Would you be willing to "Buy American" knowing it strengthens the US economy... Or does it really? Is the diminished purchasing capacity offset by an overall strengthening of the broader economy? I value the sarcasm around here but also the intellect once you sand off the acerbic veneer. So answer thoughtfully as well. Thanks....

[Bump]

The most unpatriotic thing that you can do is buy American made products. That doesn't exactly contribute to the powerful corporations and you will be condemned to hell if you do.

'Murica

[KILLER_CLOWN]

All your wealth are belong to us! /International corporations

[jjjayb]

I did have a gal tell me yesterday her next car will be an American car because Obama said it would be the right thing to do.

[qabbaan]

No, because its not forced upon you under threat of prison time by the government, as taxes are.

People choosing to buy American is simply people in a free market exercising a choice that corresponds to their own ideas of value. Other people make different calculations and buying decisions, but everyone can make their own choice.

[Reaper16]

I think what you are describing is just "distribution" of wealth. As in, normal participation in an economy.

[RINGLEADER]

Originally Posted by jjjayb

I did have a gal tell me yesterday her next car will be an American car because Obama said it would be the right thing to do.

I read on Twitter that someone was voting for Obama because he knows Jay-Z...

[Superbowltrashcan]

Originally Posted by Reaper16

I think what you are describing is just "distribution" of wealth. As in, normal participation in an economy.

My view is that since you make the US purchase you are choosing to distribute some of your wealth, albeit indirectly, to others as opposed to keeping it for yourself. I'm not so much interested in a privatized vs. public premise to this topic more just whether one should consider it redistribution, similar to charitable giving... Should have more clear....sorry....

[Reaper16]

Originally Posted by Superbowltrashcan

My view is that since you make the US purchase you are choosing to distribute some of your wealth, albeit indirectly, to others as opposed to keeping it for yourself. I'm not so much interested in a privatized vs. public premise to this topic more just whether one should consider it redistribution, similar to charitable giving... Should have more clear....sorry....

It's not charity, it's the very reason why Capitalism works. You spend money so that others may make money so that they will spend money and so on.

So if you're asking whether spending your money with companies that are employing American workers will better benefit Americans, then the answer is yes. I still would call it a redistribution though, even at a premium like you mentioned in the OP. There's nothing being taken from you to give to others; you're choosing to spend more on American-made products.

[Superbowltrashcan]

So is it a realistic expectation that people will do it? Have Americans ever done so when a less expensive equivalent has been offered? I guess my Uncle never has bought a Japanese car, but he also fought in the Pacific Theatre against The Land of the Rising Sun.... Never says a word about it......

[Bump]

Originally Posted by Reaper16

It's not charity, it's the very reason why Capitalism works. You spend money so that others may make money so that they will spend money and so on.

So if you're asking whether spending your money with companies that are employing American workers will better benefit Americans, then the answer is yes. I still would call it a redistribution though, even at a premium like you mentioned in the OP. There's nothing being taken from you to give to others; you're choosing to spend more on American-made products.

how does Capitalism work again? It's not really working out so great here in the USA.

[nstygma]

Originally Posted by Bump

how does Capitalism work again? It's not really working out so great here in the USA.

its working pretty good for me

[Taco John]

Originally Posted by Superbowltrashcan

I was thinking the other day what with the term "redistribution" becoming a dirty word, I am wondering, does the purposeful seeking of U.S. made products for purchase at a higher price than a similar or equal quality product made abroad costing less represent to you a redistribution of wealth? Would you be willing to "Buy American" knowing it strengthens the US economy... Or does it really? Is the diminished purchasing capacity offset by an overall strengthening of the broader economy? I value the sarcasm around here but also the intellect once you sand off the acerbic veneer. So answer thoughtfully as well. Thanks....

Just for fun, I will give you the objectivist point of view on your question.

You ask about whether it's redistribution to buy an American car when you want a Japanese one. The answer is no. It's just normal "distribution." On the other hand, it could be viewed as a sacrifice. If you want a Honda because you find the quality higher, but buy American because you want to be politically correct, you are sacrificing your desire for higher quality in favor of your desire to do what you might consider more socially acceptable. However, it's not yet a sacrifice because you're still making value judgements about which of these are more important to you. It becomes a sacrifice when you decide that your desire for higher quality is more than your desire to be politically correct, and you move towards being politically correct anyway. In this way, you are acting against your own individual tastes in favor of social tastes. Objectivism sees this as error.

This example, however, doesn't do justice because in the end, it is you who are making the choice - and thus when you make the choice, you make a value judgement as to which is more important to you - thus it's not really a sacrifice. When it becomes a sacrifice is when you are forced by societal authority to buy American (thus forcing you to act against your own interests and preferences). Objectivism finds this as not only error, but evil and corrupting of the very society that such force is intended to protect.

[|Zach|]

Originally Posted by jjjayb

I did have a gal tell me yesterday her next car will be an American car because Obama said it would be the right thing to do.

Sure you did.

[|Zach|]

Originally Posted by Bump

how does Capitalism work again? It's not really working out so great here in the USA.

Speak for yourself.